Shirakawa sentencing scheduled for June 7

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George Shirakawa Jr. leaves the courtroom at Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose, Calif. on Monday, March 18, 2013. Shirakawa pleaded guilty to five felonies, including four counts of perjury and one count of misappropriation of public funds, as well as seven misdemeanors for failing to file accurate campaign reports. (Gary Reyes/ Staff)

SAN JOSE — Former Santa Clara County Supervisor George Shirakawa Jr., who in March pleaded guilty to five felonies and seven misdemeanors related to misusing taxpayer and campaign donor funds, will be sentenced June 7.

Superior Court Judge Philip Pennypacker confirmed the date during a brief Tuesday morning court hearing, which Shirakawa did not attend. Instead, he was represented by his defense attorney John Williams. Assistant District Attorney Karyn Sinunu-Towery also was present.

The former District 2 supervisor, school board member and San Jose city councilman could face up to a year in jail and as many as five years on probation for his crimes. The first Santa Clara County supervisor to face felony charges in more than a quarter-century is also barred from ever holding public office again in California.

The plea deal he reached with the DA’s office, which included his resignation March 1, averted a potential eight-year prison term. But he has lost his six-figure salary and his pension.

Shirakawa also was forced to pay the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission $50,000 in fines for 10 violations of the Political Reform Act.

Still uncertain is what, if any, jail time Shirakawa will receive. While the DA plans to push for a one-year jail sentence, Williams will likely argue his client should serve no time at all.

Victims who lost money in Shirakawa’s campaign scam are expected to testify at Shirakawa’s sentencing.

The 51-year-old Shirakawa’s downfall came after news reports late last year revealed he was behind in filing campaign finance reports and that he hid his misuse of a county-issued credit card by repeatedly filing “missing receipt memos.”

After a four-month investigation, the DA found that Shirakawa had filed perjured campaign finance reports, accepted illegal cash donations and used his county credit card for his personal entertainment. Taxpayers funded his casino jaunts, golf excursions and numerous restaurant meals with his friends, staffers and even a former housemate.

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